Could UFC 169 Be Last-Chance For Mir Or Overeem?

Despite both coming off a series of losses, it sounds like Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem are not fighting for their respective UFC careers.

The two heavyweights collide this Saturday at UFC 169 in one of the key main card bouts. The action takes place from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, with a pair of world title matches set for the main and co-main events.

UFC president Dana White hosted a luncheon earlier this week in Los Angeles, and proclaimed that – as of now – neither fighter is on the chopping block.

“It appears that way,” he said. “I don’t ever like to make those calls until I see the fight.”

Overeem came to the UFC from Strikeforce, where he was the heavyweight champion before being stripped. He defeated Brock Lesnar to secure a future title shot, but issues obtaining his license kept him from ever fighting for the UFC belt.

Instead, after spending several months on the sidelines, Overeem (36-13) returned to face Antonio Silva. He was defeated by Silva, and proceeded to lose to Travis Browne, as well.

Mir (16-8) has fought all but two of his professional MMA bouts inside the Octagon, going 14-8. The former UFC champion has lost three straight, including a recent knockout loss to Josh Barnett.